The festival, which takes place July 12-15, will be the seventh instalment and founder Melvin Benn said today he is looking forward to “the most important cultural weekend in England”.

He said: “This year’s event is as strong as ever. Some acts at the top end are just incredible and they say so much about what Latitude is.”

Headlining music acts this year are Bon Iver, Elbow and Paul Weller, with Rufus Wainwright, Lang Lang and Lana Del Rey also expected to be very popular.

Alongside the music there will be a wide range of comedy and theatre, with recent additions including Chilly Gonzales, Mark Lamarr’s God’s Jukebox presents – Wanda Jackson, David O’Doherty and Van Dyke Parks and Britten Sinfonia.

Mr Benn said it was this eclectic range of acts that makes the festival known worldwide.

He said: “I think it has surpassed hopes. It has become so loved and so established, and the artists love performing it.”

He added: “It is a unique festival that stands alone in terms of quality and depth, that is why it has developed such a name so quickly.”

Asked about how he saw the festival in the future, he said: “I am always open to new ideas, but I have no desire to make it massively bigger. It is a good medium size festival that offers diversity.”